Sunday 22nd June

I was up by 4am but  didn`t leave home until 06.20 and once again I was on the Rory and once again without a clue where I was going! I suppose I`m lucky that I know my Essex without the use of a map or those sat nav thingamajigs. Anyway it was lovely sunny and warm out but I was struggling some on the lumpy bits especially in South Weald, but it was good to see those potholes filled in along Sandpit Lane at last! Now I don`t normally do this but there was hardly any traffic about so I took the A128 all the way to Chipping Ongar. Then back in the lanes again I passed through Moreton and Matching Green to Matching Tye and Sheering. Then over the M11 to lower Sheering where I briefly went into Hertfordshire! But not for long.

Then on through Little Hallingbury and over the M11 again to those lovely cattle grids in Woodside Green with its ancient common land which cattle roam freely. The National Trust have owned this land since 1935. Then onto Hatfield Broad Oak for a wander around the 15th century St. Mary the Virgin church. I continue on through the Rodings, White, Abbess and Beauchamp to Willingale but not stopping here, as I pressed on to Blackmore and Navestock Side to Coxtie Green. Followed by a short climb up to Weald Country Park for coffee and biscuits, then a look at the Fallow Deer and a short walk through the parkland. I only had another 10 miles to do and I was back indoors by 2pm with 66 miles done.

The 15th century St. Mary the Virgin, in Hatfield Broad Oak

Sunday 8th June

A lovely sunny and warm morning greeted me as I set off on the Rory at just after 6am with no idea where I was a going! I took the lumpy route out to Brentwood and then onto the B1002 to Ingatestone and Margaretting then into Wantz Rd which eventually led me to Writtle. After s short stretch along the A1060 I turned onto Chignall Rd and headed for Great Waltham. At Howe Street I turned into Parsonage Lane and over the River Chelmer and under the A130 and made my way to Littley Green and Willows Green. To find a lovely stretch of newly laid tarmac nearly all the way to Rayne Station. Where I stopped for a cuppa but found I was too early as the Booking Hall Cafe didn`t open until 09.30 and it was only just after 9am! Never mind I had some iron rations and had a look at the railway carriage. 

Then I set off again through Duckend Green to Great Saling which had a teashop that was open, but I was enjoying myself so much cycling along these lanes I`ve not been down for many years that I really didn`t want to stop. I also passed Andrews Airfield which I knew had a cafe but again I didn`t stop here either. A short stretch on the B1256 and then over the A120 to reach Felsted and the village shop for a bottle of water and an ice cream! Then onto North End where I met loads of speeding cyclists coming towards me it was a Sportive and I had them for many miles on these narrow lanes. On through Stagden Cross and High Easter to Four Wantz to reach Willingale and Fred`s bus shelter for my iron rations. From here it was my normal route back through Blackmore and Doddinghurst to South Wealds and Upminster to reach home at 14.45 with 78.34 miles on the clock. A most enjoyable day in the saddle was had, plus I topped up my suntan!

At either end of Great Waltham village there was an old cycle chained up to the sign, also there was a large banner beside the road, advertising something to do with a cycle event on Monday 7th July?